A Woodworking project that’ssure to be an uplifting project!Here’s an easy-to-make working crane that’sdestined to get plenty of hours of play timeby Norm Marshall

Making a toy that operates with cranks, wheels, pivots and strings gives a woodworker the feeling that he can compete successfully with the big-time toy-makers. This is especially evident when the child a toy is intended for gets hour-after-hour of good playtime out of it.

This crane is a great project that’s certain to provide lots of fun…not only for the child who plays with it…but for the woodworker who builds it, as well.

When completed, the cab will rotate a full 360-degrees -- the boom will raise and lower -- and the hook will go up and down. Added to these features is a simple “push/pull” locking mechanism on the boom and hook cranks. And although this may look like a complicated toy to build, it’s really quite easy.

I used clear pine stock, hardwood dowels and yellow woodworker’s glue for the basic construction. All the wheels were made with hole saws and arranged on the crane to give the illusion of being a tracked (bulldozer or tank-like) vehicle.